Owners of dogs involved in a fatal attack face up to 14 years in prison under government plans published on Tuesday. The proposals, announced by the environment secretary, Owen Paterson, would also introduce a maximum jail term of five years for owners if a person is injured by their dog.

The plans are a significant toughening of the current law, under which the maximum penalty owners face for aggravated attacks by their pet is two years in jail and/or an unlimited fine.

In a written statement, Paterson said that the government had compared the existing penalties with those for other offences, specifically causing death by dangerous driving, which is currently punishable by up to 14 years in jail, and causing actual bodily harm, which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence.

Sixteen people have been killed in dog attacks since 2005, while more than 6,000 needed hospital treatment between 2010 and 2011. The family of Jade Lomas-Anderson expressed anger earlier this month after the woman who owned the four dogs that killed the 14-year-old was given a suspended sentence.

The government also plans a maximum jail term of three years for owners whose dog kills or injures an assistance dog, which Paterson said "reflects the devastating effect such an attack has on the assisted person".

The proposals were welcomed by the Communication Workers Union, which represents the largest number of dog attack victims in the UK – 5,000 postal workers are attacked each year – and charities assisting the blind and partially sighted.

Guide Dogs chief executive Richard Leaman said the withdrawal of a guide dog after an attack could leave its owner bereft of confidence and reluctant to leave the house. He added that each dog cost £50,000 to breed, train and support during its working life.

"Guide Dogs has long campaigned for tougher sanctions against irresponsible dog owners," said Leaman. "It's clear that the vast majority of respondents to this survey agree and we are pleased the government is listening – though we would have liked to see a longer maximum sentence for a crime of this brutality."

Animal welfare minister Lord de Mauley said: "It is right that the punishments of those who allow their dog to kill or injure people or assistance dogs are proportionate to the horrendous impact dog attacks can have. We're toughening up laws to ensure that anyone who owns a dangerous dog can be brought to justice, regardless of where an attack takes place."

There will be an exemption from prosecution for householders whose dogs attack trespassers.